Charlton fans are requesting all ex-season tickets holders and Valley attendees to return in order to honour the passing of fellow Charlton fan, PC Keith Palmer. Keith tragically passed away on Tuesday night after falling victim to the Westminster terror attack.
In recent years attendances at The Valley have dwindled beyond belief. The very sight of The Valley now very much sparse, resembling only a fragment of what it used to be under Jimmy Seed, Chris Powell and Alan Curbishley in terms of attendance figures.
The reason for staying away is due to many fans refusing to line the pockets of the controversial owner Roland Duchatelet.
However, since early Wednesday morning when it came to light that PC Keith Palmer spent his weekends at The Valley supporting the boys in red, his passing has hit all connected to Charlton a lot harder.
Charlton Athletic have shown an immediate tribute to his passing, by laying a scarf on his regular seat in the East Stand, which he sat in for many years as a season ticket holder. They have also released a touching statement on behalf of the club, on their reaction to the news of the passing of one of their Charlton family members. This weekend clubs throughout the EFL will hold a minute’s silence to pay their respects to the people who lost their lives in the Westminster terror attack.
It is with great sadness that the club has learned of the tragic death of loyal fan, PC Keith Palmer –> https://t.co/4YED5bCx7j #cafc pic.twitter.com/TQbKSrGFET
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 23, 2017
As an immediate tribute to hero Keith, a red and white scarf has been placed on the seat which he occupied for many years… #cafc pic.twitter.com/iKZkQufC6i
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) March 23, 2017
It does not stop there. The Charlton faithful are adamant that The Valley fills. Fans are taking to Twitter to urge all their fellow supports to return to The Valley at the next home game on Tuesday 4th April, when Charlton take on MK Dons. The game will be a tribute fixture, for everyone to pay their respects, and to ultimately show Keith Palmer’s family that the footballing world, and specifically the Charlton community, will never forget his sacrifice.
#RipKeithPalmer #Cafc please all Charlton fans read pic.twitter.com/q2UjHOMsJz
— D (@DVDS__) March 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/ValleyFloydFred/status/844880856326004736
Let's get 27,111 fans at Charlton for 4th April with @CAFCofficial to donate all proceeds of tickets bought from today to charity #cafc
— Alex Rowe (@alexroweee) March 23, 2017
Boycotts, disagreements and arguments aside, can we pack the Valley out to pay tribute to Keith Palmer on 4th April? #cafc
— Justin (@Sheepie_1985) March 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/selltheclub/status/844893679265464324
https://twitter.com/ValleyFloydFred/status/844892481170878464
It would be a fitting tribute to see a sold out Valley in tribute to PC Keith Palmer at our next home game, April 4th #cafc @5liveSport https://t.co/m8mYrmnpD0
— Alex Rowe (@alexroweee) March 23, 2017
100% agree. Forget your reasons for not attending. The #cafc family unite. #onlyonekeithpalmer
— boblipscomb (@REDVALLEY9) March 23, 2017
Can we pack out The Valley for the next home game. Ignore the boycott. We need to show our respects to Keith Palmer – a fellow addick #CAFC
— Jim Baldwin (@Jameseyyy93) March 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/ValleyFloydFred/status/844891584302866437
https://twitter.com/CopleyHill/status/844887860423643136
Maybe @CAFCofficial should give free tickets for the game, to bring more together to show their respect #cafc https://t.co/U3d6giVN3B
— Daniel Basham (@danbashamCAFC) March 23, 2017
https://twitter.com/CharltonMen/status/845218911696117760
https://twitter.com/Mr_Ben_Bailey/status/844897517993123842